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Catalina Tours Joins Student Travel Association, Expands Offerings for Student Trips to Catalina

We’re excited to share some big news: Catalina Tours is now a proud member of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA). As part of this national network of trusted travel professionals, we’re expanding our services to better support student trips to Catalina Island—from educational field trips to unforgettable graduation celebrations.

Our team has long offered personalized itineraries and curated experiences for families, corporate teams and adult travelers, but with the increasing demand for student group travel, it became clear that we had something special to offer schools, youth groups and educational organizations as well. Catalina Island’s natural beauty, historic charm and accessible location make it the ideal destination for meaningful, engaging and safe student travel.

Student travel to catalina Island

Why Catalina Island for Student Travel?

Catalina Island is close to the mainland but feels like a world away. Just a short ferry ride from Southern California, it’s an ideal spot for students to immerse themselves in nature, history and adventure—without the need for passports or cross-country flights. Once here, everything is walkable or easily accessible by shuttle, allowing groups to maximize their time without complex logistics.

In short: Catalina makes it easy to combine learning and leisure, which is exactly what today’s student travel planners are looking for.

What Types of Student Trips Can We Help Plan?

Our new student travel offerings are designed to serve a wide range of group types and educational goals. Here are just a few of the student trip formats we now support:

Educational Field Trips

Ideal for science, history and environmental education, these trips are structured around Catalina’s rich ecology and cultural heritage. Activities can include:

  • Visits to the Catalina Island Museum and Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
  • Ocean experiences like the Undersea Expedition and Glass Bottom Boat and conservation-focused tours with naturalists
  • Historical walking tours of Avalon focused on architecture, early industry and cultural heritage

These trips can be customized for grade level and curriculum needs, helping educators meet educational goals in a hands-on setting.

Graduation & Celebration Trips

We also offer fun, safe and memorable experiences for 8th-grade promotions, high school graduations and senior class trips. These celebration-style trips blend structured activities with downtime and often include:

  • Beach BBQs and group games
  • Snorkeling or kayaking excursions
  • Zip line eco tours and mini-golf
  • Boxed meals or seated group dining
  • Scenic photo ops to mark the milestone

Our team works closely with trip leaders to ensure everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

STEM and Outdoor Enrichment Programs

Catalina’s island setting creates a natural classroom for STEM enrichment. From marine science labs to ecological restoration tours, students gain exposure to real-world science and environmental systems in action.

Multi-Day Educational Adventures

For schools looking to expand beyond a single-day trip, we offer multi-day itineraries with overnight accommodations and full logistical support. These immersive experiences can include:

  • Team-building challenges
  • Instructor-led workshops
  • Educational walking tours
  • Time for student-led learning or projects

Glass bottom boat can be part of Student travel to catalina Island

Full-Service Trip Coordination

We understand that planning student travel involves more than picking a few activities. That’s why Catalina Tours offers full coordination, including:

  • Round-trip ferry transportation from the mainland
  • Lodging for every group size and budget
  • Group meals with attention to dietary needs
  • Activity scheduling and vendor coordination
  • On-island transportation for larger or mobility-limited groups

We don’t provide chaperones, but we do ensure that trip leaders have everything they need to keep their group organized and informed.

City Host: A Friendly On-the-Ground Resource

A feature that sets Catalina Tours apart is our dedicated City Host, available to greet student groups upon arrival. Your City Host can:

  • Meet the group at the ferry terminal
  • Provide orientation and answer questions
  • Offer local insights and help troubleshoot logistics
  • Serve as a friendly and knowledgeable point of contact

Having a reliable, on-island resource helps group leaders stay on track while students enjoy a smoother, more informed experience.

Join Us for the Next Chapter in Student Travel

Catalina Tours’ membership in the Student & Youth Travel Association reflects our commitment to safe, thoughtful and enriching travel for young people. Whether you’re planning a marine science field trip, a senior celebration or an educational overnight adventure, we’re here to help.

Our expanded student travel services are available year-round and can be tailored to each group’s size, goals, budget and preferences. Catalina Island is a unique destination that offers unforgettable opportunities for learning and celebration—we’re honored to help deliver those experiences.

Ready to Plan a Student Trip to Catalina?

Reach out to Catalina Tours today to start planning your group’s next adventure. We’ll help you build a memorable, meaningful experience from the first ferry to the final farewell.

Let’s make your next student trip smooth, safe and spectacular.

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